Olancha has a rather routine history beside many of the other towns that developed
in the 1800's. It was first inhabited by indians and then a stamping mill
was built here. The "Jawbone spur" of the railroad terminated here.
It was used to support the aqueduct construction which was occurring
at the time. But mostly it was a place where cattle and sheepherders brought
their herds to graze on nearby Monache meadows. A post office was opened
here in 1870 and has remained open since then.

Today Olancha has a couple of restaurants to serve hungry travelers and a
couple of motels for overnighters who need rest along the way. There is a
large Crystal Geyser brand water bottling plant located about one mile north.Annheiser Busch owns property here and pumps water for use by their bottling plant
in Los Angeles.